Vintage Fashion Expo

I have seen heaven, and I have returned to tell you about it. Well, that is if heaven has mohair, bright colors, costume jewelry as far as the eye can see and vintage clothing that makes me want to sell my car to buy. This weekend I went to the Vintage Fashion Expo in San Francisco and it was one of the best antique or vintage events I have ever been to. Truly, the selection was amazing and the vendors were incredibly friendly. If you ever have a chance to go, run don't walk to get your tickets(don't worry they weren't expensive I picked up mine on Goldstar). My favorite thing about vintage fashion... all of the inspiration, I am off to sew.

I'm Back

Ok, so it has been way to long since I posted, but I am back in the saddle. While I wait for my punishment from the blogging police for my absence I wanted to share a project I have been working on. Tomorrow, is my parents 42nd wedding anniversary, and since I am out of grade school, I can't really get away with giving them a ceramic hand print. However, I think I did something a bit better than that.

Happiness in a Cookie

I went to an adorable new cafe called, The Good Chemistry Bakery on Saturday. I have to tell you this adorable all gluten free bakery is a must see, or must eat as evidenced by my photos.

Before:


After:

There are birds in my house!

See! This is what happens when scrapbook paper meets a glue gun and tape.

Messenger Bag

Just took a stab at the Messenger Bag tutorial from Make it Do, and it was quick, fun and I can't wait to use it. Amy from Diary of a Quilter did a great job with the tutorial and it only takes a 1/2 yard of 2 fabrics. Come on, you know you have some remnants on your shelf that are calling out to be made into this adorable bag.Here is how mine turned out. Be sure to check out these two great blogs, and post any photos of your messenger bags in the comments section.

Perfect Picnic Bowl Cover

Hello, and Happy Summer! I hope that everyone is having a relaxing weekend as we kick-off the BBQ season. As I grilled with several friends yesterday, I realized the the pot-luck season is upon us so in that spirit I am sharing a very cool bowl cover, perfect for bringing your favorite dish to any Summer outing in style.

You will need:
Sewing Machine
Scissors
Thread
Elastic
Quarter to Half a Yard of Fabric depending upon how big you want it
One Large Bowl for sizing

1. Lay out your fabric "right side down" place a bowl or other large circular template on top.

2. Trace template using a pencil, erasable marker or other lightly colored writing tool.
3. Cut the traced circle from your fabric. I used the circle as the suggestion, and instead added 2 or so inches to my circle by cutting outside of the line by several inches. it should look like this once you have completed this step.

4.Fold the edges of the circle inward approximately 1/2 inch and pin. The exact measurement is not crucial so don't stress.


5. Ok, it is time to take to your sewing machine. Sew around circle leaving room to thread your elastic within the casing you are creating. Leave 1-2 inches open to thread the elastic.


6.Attach a safety pin to the end of your elastic and thread through the casing you have created around the edge of the circle. The fabric will begin to bunch around the elastic. After threading the elastic around the circle connect the two ends and sew together.


7. Close the remaining 1-2 inch opening using your sewing machine.

Congrats you are done, now take your favorite yummy dish to your next picnic. On an interesting side note it looks disturbingly like a shower cap.

Box Cushion Preview shh....

Just made these adorable box cushions for my favorite antique chair. I love them, and if you want to know how to make them be sure to register for my box cushion class.

Piper's Pearls: bringing the outdoors indoors

Ok, so I know I haven't put any of my projects up lately, but I promise I am furiously sewing. In the mean time check out Piper's Pearls amazing tree mural. No, seriously, amazing. Check it out

Alice in Wonderland needle work

I hope everyone is having an amazing weekend, and enjoying this beyond beautiful weather. Feeling Stitchy just highlighted some great Alice in Wonderland
embroidery patterns. Be sure to check the patterns out here. Ok, I am off to enjoy the sunshine

No Sew Apron, I promise

As you know I am an avid crafter/DIY'er, and often times this extends
into cooking and baking. However, I have to be truthful, sometimes my
favorite part about working in the kitchen is wearing an adorable
apron. Somehow when I tie an apron on I am convinced that my culinary creation will be magically transformed into something fit for Julia Childs.
This rarely happens, but I still enjoy wearing the apron, and I am always
delighted when I walk into my kitchen and see my aprons hanging
on the wall.

Here is a project that proves making an apron can be even more fun than wearing one, especially when it is budget friendly and requires no sewing!
This project took about 45 minutes, and was light
on the clean up. I promise.

Materials:
• 3 Fabric Quarters - These are 18''x21'' remnant pieces of fabric, and generally run about a dollar a piece. or you can also buy them in a pack of five or six, which is what I did.
• Steam a Seam or Stitch Witchery - If you use Stitch Witchery sub that in when I use Steam a Seam, and do not iron adhesive
• 2 yards of 1''-2'' ribbon

Tools:
• Iron
• Ironing Board

Make the job easier items, but not required

• Rotary Cutter
• Clear cutting edge/Ruler

Ready, Set, Craft!

1. Select 2-4 pieces of fabric quarters depending on how colorful you
want your apron to be. I selected three.
2. Iron your pieces on medium heat.
3. After you have ironed each piece Lay the clear ruler on top of
each piece of fabric, and cut two pieces of each color. My pieces are
about six inches wide, but you are free to select your own width.



4. Layout your desired pattern for the apron.

5. Cut 1/2 inch (lengthwise) strips of Steam a Seam
6.Lay one piece of fabric "print side up", peal one side of paper away
from Steam a Seam, and press firmly against fabric, peal away the back
side of the adhesive and lay down the second piece of fabric "print
side" down lining up the edge of the fabrics.( Your fabrics should be
right side together) Then iron edge for five to ten seconds.

7. Repeat this process until all pieces are attached. (This will depend
on how many pieces you are using.)

If you do not want pleats go ahead, and skip this step

8. After the apron is assembled lay out the piece "print side up".
Begin from the left side, and fold one pleat to the left by folding
the fabric under the "top". Do the same on the right hand side of the
pleat. If you have not done this before they should look like the pleats are "facing" each other. Complete this process on each fabric piece. You are creating a"pop up" on each strip of fabric.





If you skipped the pleating join in again.

9. Place Steam a Seam strips across the top of the apron in two rows
the width of the ribbon.



9. After pealing back the top Steam a Seam tissue paper, lay the
ribbon "satin side" across the adhesive strips press firmly.
10. Almost there iron across the ribbon bonding the fabric and ribbon together.



11 Congrats! Your No Sew Apron is complete run to the kitchen, and make something or just wear your apron with some pears and pretend you are June Cleaver.

Valentine Flags

Valentine Flags

Materials:
1 yard of fabric of different prints
Matching thread
Straight edge
Rotary cutter/scissors
Sewing machine
Paper/Card stock
Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us, and while normally I would say it is too commercial this year I am swept up in the whimsy of it all. So I decided to make a string of flags with Valentine colors. It was incredible easy, and took about an hour.
1. On card stock, cardboard or a piece of paper draw a triangle. I did it by making an eight-inch line across the bottom of card stock. Then make a mark at 4 inches. Using a ruler extend the line 9.5 inches long at a 90 degree angle. It should look like a T. After you have completed that connect the lines of your triangle, and cut out. It should look like this.



2.After selecting the fabric you would like to use fold the fabric “right side” together leaving the “wrong side” of the fabric face up. Place your template triangle on the fabric, and trace the triangle onto the fabric. I used a fabric safe pencil, but you can use another writing tool if it is more handy.



3.Cut out the triangle using the rotary cutter or scissors. They will look like this. I made seven flags so I cut out 14 triangles. You can adjust this for how many you plan on using.



4. After the triangles have been cut place one triangle face up, and place the other of a different print on top of the triangle face down. Pin the triangles together.



5. Sew the two longest sides of the triangle together then turn it right side out.


6. After you have completed sewing your flags move onto the binding. Depending on how many flags you made your binding will be a different length. I cut a 2-inch wide by 2-yard long strip of fabric. Then fold the bottom and the top of the fabric toward each other.





6B. Then fold the fabric one additional time making a “sandwich”.



7. Pin each flag between the two layers of the binding.
8. Sew the binding and the flags together.
9. Hang up, and enjoy!

Doilie Garland in three steps and for less than $5, I promise

So, I have a confession to make... I love doilies. Call me an old lady, but I can't get enough of them whether they are beneath my tea cup, part of a Valentine, decoration or even the doilie collars that Sandra Day O'Connor used to wear. They are so feminine and sweet. Here is how you make doilie garland for less than $5 in three steps.

Must have materials and tools:

20 Paper dollies – These can be found at many stores, I found mine at Smart and Final

4 yards of string or ribbon – I used Martha Stewart holiday baker’s twine

Hot glue gun and glue sticks, but Elmer's glue works equally well

1.Fold desired number of doilies in half

2.Place string in the center of folded doilie along crease, and secure
with adhesive. I used string, but any ribbon will do. I also used a
hot glue gun, but Tacky or Elmer's glue is just as good.

3. Continue the process until you are happy with it.

Done!

This is my garland mixed with hearts for Valentine's Day